Title: American Revolutionary War in a history class
Authors:
1. Greg H
2. Kana S
Use the guiding questions that we came up with in class to describe a standards-based lesson. This lesson could be one that you make up or one that you watch on video. Important: Be sure that your learning objective aligns with a curriculum standard.
I. Standard Benchmark(s) and Learning Objective:
This lesson description is for fourth graders in a history class. The students are going to learn about The American Revolutionary War. We, the teachers, will have to make lesson plans so students can get interested in the event; the very beginning of American history. The American Revolutionary War is the most important event of our history, so it is crucial for us to learn it, as we are members in American society. We should plan based on this standard.
Clear objectives will help students learn what is necessary. In this lesson, students should get a basic knowledge of The American Revolutionary War and begin to learn the meaning of this event. We have to try to make students understand the facts of the events clearly. Here are four things to be focused upon and learned by the end of this lesson. First, students will be able to list thirteen states that originally used to be English colonies. Second, they will be able to understand what the Declaration of Independence is and what it is for. They will learn that the Declaration of Independence is a statement that says that we are no longer owned by England any more, and the values that the people in America fought for. Third, they will be able to think about causes and effects of the events, based on the knowledge they will learn. Finally, they will be able to learn about important people in important positions during the war. These four objectives are important because they will help students to find patterns of learning history. In other words, they can know about what is "history", and how to learn it. Students will be expected to use their knowledge they get here, when they learn details about The American Revolutionary War as they enter higher grades of education. Moreover, we can connect the event with moral education. Human right is one of the most important factors that we can think through the war. This lesson is going to be a good opportunity for students to think about what is right or not, what human right is, and the way they see things throughout their lives.
II. The Learning Environment
The learning enviroment will be one of confort and learning. Understanding that the fourth grade is that akward age between still being a "child" and "growing up", we will arrange the desks in tables. We feel that arranging them in rows is meant for the older kids and arranging them in a circle is too babyish, leaving the desks in tables respresent the best solution. In the corner of the room, we'll place a couch, various pillows, and a few bean-bag chairs. This corner can be used as the "reading corner." It is important that the kids feel comfortable, and at "ease" so that it will be easier to encourage reading upon their young developing minds. The walls will be lined with posters and information. The posters will bring the right mix of "educational information" and "formiliar characters" so that the kids will not be overwhelmed. It is important that some of these posters have "formiliar characters" on them, for the reason that it will give the kids some comfort and formiliarity, and maybe a good laugh. Such characters that we would look for are childrens characters such as Bugs Bunny, Power-Rangers, or something of that sort. The teachers front desk will be placed in the top right handed corner of the room, so that it is visable to the children, and it is set apart. It is important the desk is set apart so that it becomes its own entity, not just another feature of the room. It should retain a glow all its own, a welcoming place for a child who may need to speak with the teacher. Lining the far wall, underneath the windows, will be a small "class library." It is where we will keep all the books the kids will ever 'need', or ever just 'want' to read. Our books will range from "child-friendly" science books to various childrens books. Our room is intended to set the tone for our children. It will be a place of comfort and fun, learning and excitement. At the same time, it will be a classroom where the kids will know that they have to come in do work, start their education on the right foot. The kids will not have to work through snack, as much as they give us their attention, this is their time to relax and take a break from the learning aspect of school. It is a great time for them to enhance their social skills while they interact with the other kids of the class.
The class's social characteristics are going to be very involved and very "hands on." The kids will never be bored because the lesson plans will be designed to keep them involved. It wont be the type of "involved" as they sit in their chairs and work on a worksheet or something of that level. The kids will be allowed to get up and out of their seats, walk around, and emphasize the uses of their senses. They will constantly be working in groups as to enhance their communication skills and friendships. They will also be given various opportunities to work independently with the teacher. After the completion of a project, the kids will be given assignments and one by one they will be pulled for a short meeting with the teacher, just to make sure they understood the information, and most importantly to make sure they had fun. This is a class that is going to be given the opportunity, which can be revoked due to bad behavior, to get up and do, experience, enjoy, and to truly understand. As much as this will be a "free-spirited" classroom, their will be rules. These rules will be based on mutual respect between classmates, mutual respect between the students and teachers, and most importantly respect for themselves. These kids will understand that this class structure is a privledge, and that it can be taken away very quickly. The most important thing is respect, and the understanding not to take advantage of the situation. These kids will be given every opportunity, but they will also understand that if they dont take it seriously, the routine will become a normal classroom. This will start as a special classroom, but the kids have the option of whether to keep it that way, and they will understand that from day one.
III. The Learning Activities
Learning activities also should include what teacher do and what students do. In other words, we have to think about these activities separately to make the class effective to students. Activities should also be considered based on standards and learning objectives. First, we want students to be familiar with the thirteen states that used to be English colonies. We can prepare two types of printed sheets; a printed map of the United States showing the thirteen states including the names on it and a simple printed map of the U.S. With these sheets, students can color the thirteen states and fill in the blanks, using both sheets at the same time. Students can make a group in five people to check each others' work. Teachers will walk around to make sure students are doing well, asking them the names of the states. This activity is engaging to kids and moreover, the visual sheets helps them to remember the information well. Second, as for the Declaration of Independence, it is more important than any other thing or the events, so teacher have to make students understand what is the Declaration of Independence is. We would describe it on a blackboard or something like this: the Declaration of Independence was the document that stated that the English colonies in America intended to become a free and separate country. What we should do is to use words as simple as possible for describing it, and make sure that students copy and understand the information. Related to the Declaration of Independence, we can introduce people in important positions within the event. Take Thomas Jeffason for example, he is definitely an important person in the event. Actually, he wrote the Declaration as well as being the third president of the United States. Interestingly, he was the oldest person who placed his signature on the document, 70 years old. So now we can make a quiz about the oldest/youngest person to sign the document. (Wikipedia, United States Declaration of Independence). This kind of activity is important because it doesn't only tell the facts but also engages kids. The abilitie of thinking about cause-efect in this lesson is gained by the learning flow of some events. Teachers have to explain using simple signs such as figures, arrows and so on. For example, we describe that The Battle of Lexington is the result of the "No taxation without Representation" protest from the Americans. We can also teach students how the rule was unfair, and too encourage students to think about human rights discuss in the class. These learning activities make students have their own ideas and share them with their classmates.
The assessments will be based on numerous projects and tests. Most of the assessments will come from group projects. These group projects will involve much teachwork and physical movement, making their level of commitment even more clear and their understanding even more evident. The kids will be encouraged to get out of their chairs and to explore for information in these projects, allowing for the kid who is struggling to get help from his teammates and understand the information better. At the end of each unit, their will be one test that will cover enough information to reach the standards, but mostly covering and reassuring the childrens knowledge of the basic story, characters, and enough to pass any state test quite comfortably. But most of the grade will be based upon the numerous projects. Their will also be homework assignments, such as reading or worksheets, to watch the childs development on a daily basis. Class participation will also play a part in the grading, but not as large a percentage as the homework. Class Participation is more designed to engage the kids and get them to be more interactive, but the "class participation" grade will not be enough to make a major dent in your final grade. Classwork will also mark as big part of the grade, it will allow us to see who is working on these projects and whos standing aside letting his teammates do all the work. All of these things will be assessed and will give us a final idea where the kid stands socially, educationally, and emotionally. All of this will lead to a final grade or standing. This class will grade and assess you on many different categories, a true all around grade well earned.
V. Reflections
This assignment was a little difficult for me because I didn't learn about the history of The American Revolutionary War. The first thing I did was to learn the history. However, I found that the teacher must have enough knowledge in order to teach kids. I like my idea of the learning activities which can engage kids such as providing worksheets and giving quizes based on standard benchmark and learning objectives. However, after the discussion in Wednesday's class, I found that there are more activities which help kids to enjoy learning through movies, puppet play creating books and so on. These idea can make classes more attractive and valuable for kids. From this experiece of making up a teaching plan, I learned a teaching plan including learning environment, learning activities and assessment strategies should be on a basis of appropriate standards and it is also important to make kids feel like learning. I 'm sure that basic elements that I got from this experience are going to be useful when I become a teacher. (Kana Sonoda)
This was a difficult task. It challenged us to leave the safety and comfort of the learning environment, and to officially see the other side of the spectrum. For the first time, we were depended upon to create a lesson plan, a classroom strategy, and to ensure a learning enviroment for the kids. The most challenging part of the project was developing the learning enviroment. I have had many different exeriences in classrooms of various age-groups, both as a student, teacher, and spectator. With these experiences, I've had the ability to witness various types of structures such as strict, loose, and different levels of structure. My decision to allow for a lose structure, and a very "hands-on" approach comes from my experiences and my personal successes. I believe that a child can only learn to his or hers maximum potential by getting up and acting, doing, seeing, using their senses. Sitting in a seat, especially at that age, can be agonizing for a young person. It is best for them to get up and experience, and allowing them to do this was my toughest decision of this project. I feel that we put together a very nice, highly rewarding, program that any kid would love to be apart of. It is highly educational, attention-grabbing, and an overall rewarding experience. Any child would love to be apart of this program. (Gregory Horowitz)
Title: American Revolutionary War in a history class
Authors:
1. Greg H2. Kana S
Use the guiding questions that we came up with in class to describe a standards-based lesson. This lesson could be one that you make up or one that you watch on video. Important: Be sure that your learning objective aligns with a curriculum standard.
I. Standard Benchmark(s) and Learning Objective:
This lesson description is for fourth graders in a history class. The students are going to learn about The American Revolutionary War. We, the teachers, will have to make lesson plans so students can get interested in the event; the very beginning of American history. The American Revolutionary War is the most important event of our history, so it is crucial for us to learn it, as we are members in American society. We should plan based on this standard.Clear objectives will help students learn what is necessary. In this lesson, students should get a basic knowledge of The American Revolutionary War and begin to learn the meaning of this event. We have to try to make students understand the facts of the events clearly. Here are four things to be focused upon and learned by the end of this lesson. First, students will be able to list thirteen states that originally used to be English colonies. Second, they will be able to understand what the Declaration of Independence is and what it is for. They will learn that the Declaration of Independence is a statement that says that we are no longer owned by England any more, and the values that the people in America fought for. Third, they will be able to think about causes and effects of the events, based on the knowledge they will learn. Finally, they will be able to learn about important people in important positions during the war. These four objectives are important because they will help students to find patterns of learning history. In other words, they can know about what is "history", and how to learn it. Students will be expected to use their knowledge they get here, when they learn details about The American Revolutionary War as they enter higher grades of education. Moreover, we can connect the event with moral education. Human right is one of the most important factors that we can think through the war. This lesson is going to be a good opportunity for students to think about what is right or not, what human right is, and the way they see things throughout their lives.
II. The Learning Environment
The learning enviroment will be one of confort and learning. Understanding that the fourth grade is that akward age between still being a "child" and "growing up", we will arrange the desks in tables. We feel that arranging them in rows is meant for the older kids and arranging them in a circle is too babyish, leaving the desks in tables respresent the best solution. In the corner of the room, we'll place a couch, various pillows, and a few bean-bag chairs. This corner can be used as the "reading corner." It is important that the kids feel comfortable, and at "ease" so that it will be easier to encourage reading upon their young developing minds. The walls will be lined with posters and information. The posters will bring the right mix of "educational information" and "formiliar characters" so that the kids will not be overwhelmed. It is important that some of these posters have "formiliar characters" on them, for the reason that it will give the kids some comfort and formiliarity, and maybe a good laugh. Such characters that we would look for are childrens characters such as Bugs Bunny, Power-Rangers, or something of that sort. The teachers front desk will be placed in the top right handed corner of the room, so that it is visable to the children, and it is set apart. It is important the desk is set apart so that it becomes its own entity, not just another feature of the room. It should retain a glow all its own, a welcoming place for a child who may need to speak with the teacher. Lining the far wall, underneath the windows, will be a small "class library." It is where we will keep all the books the kids will ever 'need', or ever just 'want' to read. Our books will range from "child-friendly" science books to various childrens books. Our room is intended to set the tone for our children. It will be a place of comfort and fun, learning and excitement. At the same time, it will be a classroom where the kids will know that they have to come in do work, start their education on the right foot. The kids will not have to work through snack, as much as they give us their attention, this is their time to relax and take a break from the learning aspect of school. It is a great time for them to enhance their social skills while they interact with the other kids of the class.The class's social characteristics are going to be very involved and very "hands on." The kids will never be bored because the lesson plans will be designed to keep them involved. It wont be the type of "involved" as they sit in their chairs and work on a worksheet or something of that level. The kids will be allowed to get up and out of their seats, walk around, and emphasize the uses of their senses. They will constantly be working in groups as to enhance their communication skills and friendships. They will also be given various opportunities to work independently with the teacher. After the completion of a project, the kids will be given assignments and one by one they will be pulled for a short meeting with the teacher, just to make sure they understood the information, and most importantly to make sure they had fun. This is a class that is going to be given the opportunity, which can be revoked due to bad behavior, to get up and do, experience, enjoy, and to truly understand. As much as this will be a "free-spirited" classroom, their will be rules. These rules will be based on mutual respect between classmates, mutual respect between the students and teachers, and most importantly respect for themselves. These kids will understand that this class structure is a privledge, and that it can be taken away very quickly. The most important thing is respect, and the understanding not to take advantage of the situation. These kids will be given every opportunity, but they will also understand that if they dont take it seriously, the routine will become a normal classroom. This will start as a special classroom, but the kids have the option of whether to keep it that way, and they will understand that from day one.
III. The Learning Activities
Learning activities also should include what teacher do and what students do. In other words, we have to think about these activities separately to make the class effective to students. Activities should also be considered based on standards and learning objectives. First, we want students to be familiar with the thirteen states that used to be English colonies. We can prepare two types of printed sheets; a printed map of the United States showing the thirteen states including the names on it and a simple printed map of the U.S. With these sheets, students can color the thirteen states and fill in the blanks, using both sheets at the same time. Students can make a group in five people to check each others' work. Teachers will walk around to make sure students are doing well, asking them the names of the states. This activity is engaging to kids and moreover, the visual sheets helps them to remember the information well. Second, as for the Declaration of Independence, it is more important than any other thing or the events, so teacher have to make students understand what is the Declaration of Independence is. We would describe it on a blackboard or something like this: the Declaration of Independence was the document that stated that the English colonies in America intended to become a free and separate country. What we should do is to use words as simple as possible for describing it, and make sure that students copy and understand the information. Related to the Declaration of Independence, we can introduce people in important positions within the event. Take Thomas Jeffason for example, he is definitely an important person in the event. Actually, he wrote the Declaration as well as being the third president of the United States. Interestingly, he was the oldest person who placed his signature on the document, 70 years old. So now we can make a quiz about the oldest/youngest person to sign the document. (Wikipedia, United States Declaration of Independence). This kind of activity is important because it doesn't only tell the facts but also engages kids. The abilitie of thinking about cause-efect in this lesson is gained by the learning flow of some events. Teachers have to explain using simple signs such as figures, arrows and so on. For example, we describe that The Battle of Lexington is the result of the "No taxation without Representation" protest from the Americans. We can also teach students how the rule was unfair, and too encourage students to think about human rights discuss in the class. These learning activities make students have their own ideas and share them with their classmates.Reference
"United States Declaration of Independence." Wikipedia. 2 Nov 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence>.
IV. Assessment Strategies/Items
The assessments will be based on numerous projects and tests. Most of the assessments will come from group projects. These group projects will involve much teachwork and physical movement, making their level of commitment even more clear and their understanding even more evident. The kids will be encouraged to get out of their chairs and to explore for information in these projects, allowing for the kid who is struggling to get help from his teammates and understand the information better. At the end of each unit, their will be one test that will cover enough information to reach the standards, but mostly covering and reassuring the childrens knowledge of the basic story, characters, and enough to pass any state test quite comfortably. But most of the grade will be based upon the numerous projects. Their will also be homework assignments, such as reading or worksheets, to watch the childs development on a daily basis. Class participation will also play a part in the grading, but not as large a percentage as the homework. Class Participation is more designed to engage the kids and get them to be more interactive, but the "class participation" grade will not be enough to make a major dent in your final grade. Classwork will also mark as big part of the grade, it will allow us to see who is working on these projects and whos standing aside letting his teammates do all the work. All of these things will be assessed and will give us a final idea where the kid stands socially, educationally, and emotionally. All of this will lead to a final grade or standing. This class will grade and assess you on many different categories, a true all around grade well earned.V. Reflections
This assignment was a little difficult for me because I didn't learn about the history of The American Revolutionary War. The first thing I did was to learn the history. However, I found that the teacher must have enough knowledge in order to teach kids. I like my idea of the learning activities which can engage kids such as providing worksheets and giving quizes based on standard benchmark and learning objectives. However, after the discussion in Wednesday's class, I found that there are more activities which help kids to enjoy learning through movies, puppet play creating books and so on. These idea can make classes more attractive and valuable for kids. From this experiece of making up a teaching plan, I learned a teaching plan including learning environment, learning activities and assessment strategies should be on a basis of appropriate standards and it is also important to make kids feel like learning. I 'm sure that basic elements that I got from this experience are going to be useful when I become a teacher. (Kana Sonoda)This was a difficult task. It challenged us to leave the safety and comfort of the learning environment, and to officially see the other side of the spectrum. For the first time, we were depended upon to create a lesson plan, a classroom strategy, and to ensure a learning enviroment for the kids. The most challenging part of the project was developing the learning enviroment. I have had many different exeriences in classrooms of various age-groups, both as a student, teacher, and spectator. With these experiences, I've had the ability to witness various types of structures such as strict, loose, and different levels of structure. My decision to allow for a lose structure, and a very "hands-on" approach comes from my experiences and my personal successes. I believe that a child can only learn to his or hers maximum potential by getting up and acting, doing, seeing, using their senses. Sitting in a seat, especially at that age, can be agonizing for a young person. It is best for them to get up and experience, and allowing them to do this was my toughest decision of this project. I feel that we put together a very nice, highly rewarding, program that any kid would love to be apart of. It is highly educational, attention-grabbing, and an overall rewarding experience. Any child would love to be apart of this program. (Gregory Horowitz)
SBLD EVAL GREG KANA